Milford parents speak out against school redistricting

Cite adverse financial, social effects

Published
10:22 pm EST, Tuesday, February 17, 2015

MILFORD >> The Board of Education Tuesday night heard strong words from a handful of parents against elementary school redistricting options being considered, but those parents had the support of dozens more in the audience who applauded their words.

“We all understand it’s an emotional topic,” Board of Education Chairwoman Susan Glennon said at the start of the meeting.

The options being considered by the board as the system moves back to a pre-K through fifth-grade configuration were unveiled last week by planning consultants Milone & MacBroom, but there was no public input — only the chance to email questions. Residents Tuesday had the opportunity to speak, as they will again Monday at 7 p.m. at the board meeting to be held at City Hall.

Planners trying to minimize the overall impact of the redistricting said the three options being considered have 83 percent to 85 percent of students staying in their home school, with the number varying for each plans.

But it does appear huge to those affected or whose close friends are affected.

Parents who spoke Tuesday had complaints about children being moved to schools much farther away than their current schools and homes, about children being separated from their friends and about students who have undergone many changes in schools because of reconfigurations in recent years. Some complained their children shouldn’t be moved in their last year of elementary school.

Parent Christian Thomas told the board, “while I appreciate the task before you,” he would ask them to consider other options.

He said the plan makes residents feel there is no attempt to keep friends together.

Laura Katz said the final year of elementary school is “a big thing for kids,” and “it’s not fair to ask the kids to bear the brunt” of bad decisions by city officials.

Resident Peter Carlson said his kids go to JFK and would be redistricted to Meadowside, which will cost his family an extra $10,000 per year because of lack of transportation to after school care. He said that amounts to two tuitions at St. Gabriel School. He urged the board to “reconsider” the plan.

Others have had complaints about potential after school care costs, as well, and school officials said they are working on the problem.

Another parent — not particularly blaming the current board — said today’s children are paying for past mistakes, including closing Simon Lake School, then going to a grades K-2, 3-5 configuration against parents’ wishes. The board voted to go back to the old system and hence, the need to redistrict.

One parent went as far to say the redistricting maps on display in the corridor outside are the consultants “trying to justify their salary.”

Board members appeared open to coming up with ways to work around some of the problems.

Glennon asked Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser if she can come up with options for fourth-graders going into their last year of elementary school.

The board’s criteria for redistricting is to adhere to natural boundaries and keep neighborhoods together; minimize travel time; mitigate impact on students already redistricted; and balance enrollment to ensure parity in resources.